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Orem • Utah State's record doesn't show it, but coach Stew Morrill is convinced his youthful Aggies have improved during the opening month of the season.

Utah State is 3-4 heading into Saturday night's game at Utah Valley, including only the third four-game losing streak during Morrill's 17 years in Logan. The Aggies have not won since Nov. 19 — something they hope to change against the Wolverines.

"It's very odd for me to tell the kids that we're getting better while losing games," Morrill said. "... But we are. We're making progress. We'd like to make progress and get some wins. But I do feel like we're getting better."

In consecutive defeats to Mississippi State, UC Davis, BYU and USC — teams with a combined record of 25-9 — Utah State hasn't put together a complete game.

When the Aggies play well on offense, they often struggle to make stops. When they clamp down on defense, their shots stop falling. When they execute on both ends of the floor, they don't rebound well.

The schedule has been taxing, too.

The road game at Utah Valley will be Utah State's fifth this season. The Aggies will have played in three time zones, from Starkville, Miss., to Normal, Ill., to Los Angeles.

Beating Utah Valley won't be easy, either.

Although Utah State has won all nine in this series, the games are often close. Two years ago, Utah State visited the UCCU Center and prevailed, 69-63.

"We've had to be very determined to win down there," Morrill said. "We got away from them a few times, but not very many. We've won some close games down there with a very experienced group. And this group is not experienced."

Morrill is interested to see how his team responds after four close losses.

"... You can either [hang your head]," he said, "or be a little agitated."

For Utah Valley, the game is a long-awaited homecoming. The Wolverines are 3-5 but have played seven straight on the road, going back to Nov. 14.

"We're not in a position to dictate dates against Division I teams and I've been apologetic to our players because of that," coach Dick Hunsaker said. "... But I'm very pleased with the way the kids handled it. They competed throughout the duration of it."

Like the Aggies, Utah Valley has lost four straight. They come off an 87-56 loss to third-ranked Arizona.

"You measure yourself — your integrity, your ability to handle adversity, your ability to stay together as a team and not fall apart — when things are tough," Hunsaker said. "I feel we've held up well." —

Utah State at Utah Valley

At the UCCU Center

Tip-off • 7:05 p.m.

Television • UVU-TV

Radio • 610-AM, 960-AM, 1280-AM, 95.9-FM, 102.1-FM

Records • Utah State, 3-4; Utah Valley, 3-5

Series • Utah State, 9-0.

Last meeting • Utah State, 71-60 (2013-14)

About the Aggies • They have lost four straight. ... Their top scorers are F Jalen Moore (15.1) and C/F David Collette (15.0). ... They shoot 37.7 percent from the three-point line. ... They are 11th nationally in turnovers (10.3). ... In last Sunday's 89-84 loss at USC, Collette set a school record for points by a freshman (32).

About the Wolverines • This is their first home game since Nov. 14. ... They have lost four straight to UC Davis (64-43), Sacramento State (65-56), Montana State (68-60) and Arizona (87-56). ... They're led by Utah State transfers F Mitch Bruneel (11.6) and G Marcel Davis (9.8). ... Coach Dick Hunsaker is 223-145 in his 12th season.